“I—” I gasped, but the intoxicating rhythm of his fingers and the deep thrusts sent my thoughts spiraling away. My climax crashed into me like a tidal wave, overwhelming every sense and leaving me breathless.
Xavier growled, his control slipping as his pace quickened, chasing his own release. His cry of pleasure echoed through the room as he collapsed on top of me, both of us trembling, our breaths coming in short, hot gasps.
A smile broke across my lips, an inexplicable warmth flooding my soul as I laughed softly. But then, an odd sensation shot down my left arm, sharp enough to make me wince.
Xavier immediately leaned up, still pinning my body beneath him, concern flashing across his face. Our gazes locked as we looked down together, and my breath caught in my throat at the sight.
Emerald ink spread across my arm, curling into intricate swirling patterns as it traveled upward. Panic surged through me, my heart racing as the ink crept steadily toward my shoulder.
“Xavier,” I breathed, my voice trembling. His eyes met mine, filled with unspoken emotion, and I realized that a tattoo—twin to his—was now etched onto my skin, just as the fates had shown me.
I tried to shove him off me as my panic rose, but he held me captive underneath him.
“Don’t be afraid,” he whispered, his tone soothing, though it did little to calm my racing thoughts.
“Why do I have your tattoo?” My voice wavered, confusion twisting in my gut as I stared at the ink spreading across my arm.
Xavier shifted his weight, leaning to one side as he looked at me. His gaze softened, a small smile tugging at his lips. “You are my mate,” he breathed, searching my eyes as if afraid of what he might find.
Shock washed over me in a cold wave at his words, my eyes widening in disbelief. “I don’t know what that means,” I replied, my voice trembling as I pushed against his chest. He leanedback slightly, creating a fraction more space between us, but his weight still pressed down on me, holding me in place.
“Your soul and mine are intertwined,” Xavier said, his gaze locked onto mine with an intensity that made my heart race. “We hold a missing part of each other within ourselves.” He paused, searching my eyes for understanding. “The tattoo is how the fates have chosen to mark our bond, a sign for others to see that we are mated. It's different for everyone.”
His words reverberated deep within me, an inexplicable truth settling into my very bones. I should have felt comforted by what he was saying, but instead, it felt like I was drowning in the weight of it all. I pushed against him again, but it was futile; he remained firm above me.
“Xavier,” I attempted to sound stern, but my voice trembled, betraying the fear that gripped me. Suddenly, an unexpected surge of emotion washed over me, a sensation that wasn’t entirely my own, causing my heart to flutter. Love, pride, and worry radiated from him, mingling with my own emotions and creating a connection that felt both overwhelming and grounding. I sensed his feelings seeping into me as if he were now an extension of my own being, sharing his thoughts and emotions.
“This is all too much, too fast. I barely know you… and we only just… and…” My words spilled out in a frantic rush, my breath quickening as my heart raced. “And now you’re saying I’m your mate? That the gods chose this for us?”
Xavier nodded slowly, his expression earnest. “I know it’s a lot to take in, Zara… but please, just try to calm down. I can explain anything you need me to.”
I shook my head, frustration mixing with confusion. “They showed this… us… but I didn’t know what it meant.” My voice trembled, uncertainty coloring my words.
“Do you want me to go?” His voice was a low murmur, and when I met his gaze, I saw the sincerity there—he’d leave if I asked him to. He wasn’t holding me here, not really.
“No… I just want to understand.” I looked at him, feeling a whirlwind of emotions. I wasn’t sure what I wanted right now, and I didn’t know what I was feeling or if it was him who was feeling it.
Xavier finally leaned away, rolling fully to his side. He propped his head on his hand and stared at me. “Are you sure?” Xavier asked, his brow furrowing with doubt.
“Stay,” I replied, my voice strained yet sincere. I felt his shoulders relax at my words, and I gazed up at him, my heart pounding. “Is that the pull I’ve been feeling?” I questioned, my voice barely above a whisper. Xavier nodded, confirming my suspicions.
I looked away briefly, anxiety creeping in as I gathered the courage to ask my next question. “And… Jaxon? Is that why I also felt it toward him?”
Xavier’s expression dimmed, and he nodded again. “Yes. He had a part of my soul, and you could sense the bond, me, through him.”
I shook my head slowly in understanding.
Xavier waved his hand, and in an instant, soft black pants materialized, fitting him perfectly where there had been none. With another flick of his wrist, I felt a refreshing sensation, like water cascading over my skin, and a moment later, a black shirt enveloped me.
His citrus and cedar scent wrapped around me like a warm embrace as Xavier smiled at me. He pulled me onto his chest, shifting so that he lay on his back, and I let myself sink into him, burrowing deeper against his side, unable to resist the comfort of his warmth despite the whirlwind of emotions inside my head.
I smiled against his chest, feeling the heat radiate from him, soothing my frazzled nerves. But as the moments passed, my thoughts began to wander, tracing back through the events of the past few days… and months. I struggled to make sense of everything that had happened.
Mate. That was what Xavier had called me. The word felt strange yet also right, like a puzzle piece clicking into place, but I still didn’t fully understand its significance.
As I lay there, Xavier didn’t speak again, his eyes slowly drifting shut as he watched me wrestle with my thoughts. It was as if he sensed my need for space, allowing me the time to sort through the storm of emotions swirling in my mind before talking more about it.
His arms were wrapped around me, and even in sleep, he clung to me tightly as if afraid I might slip away if he let go.
